Rat liver preservation by hypothermic oscillating liver perfusion compared to simple cold storage

Rat livers were preserved hypothermically for 10 or 24 h in vitro as if for transplantation. Two methods of preservation were compared using physiological and biochemical parameters: simple storage and oscillating perfusion. By measuring the nucleotides after preservation the calculated energy charge was significantly higher after 10 and 24 h of oscillating perfusion compared to the simple storage group. In addition, a significant energy charge loading was demonstrated by 10 h oscillating perfusion compared to the initial value prior to perfusion. The oscillating, computer-controlled perfusion permits continuous monitoring of perfusate temperature, O-2 consumption, pCO(2), portal vein pressure, and pH and also automatic sample collection and pH compensation. In addition, the perfusate can be easily exchanged by using two different pumps or be rewarmed by a heat exchanger. For measuring of short-lived metabolites (interleukins, oxygen radicals, prostaglandins) sampling can be performed directly out of the vena cava outflow. pH and temperature stability was maintained by a data acquisition and controlling system. Because of a special designed liver chamber a combination of storage and perfusion with or without substrates was possible. The demonstrated standardized perfusion technique was achieved by a combination of special equipment and computer-aided monitoring and allows further experiments to improve understanding of ischemic and reperfusion injury. (C) 1998 Academic Press.